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March on Washington marks 50 years

Martin Luther King III stops by Baltimore

This summer marks 50 years since the historic march on Washington -- a march for peace, jobs and freedom. It's where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech.

March on Washington marks 50 years

Martin Luther King III stops by Baltimore

Updated: 5:54 PM EDT Jul 19, 2013

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BALTIMORE —

This summer marks 50 years since the historic march on Washington -- a march for peace, jobs and freedom. It's where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous "I have a dream" speech.

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"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but the content of their character."

On Friday, his son, Martin Luther King III, stopped by Baltimore to drum up support for an anniversary march. He will be the first to tell you that more needs to be done for the cause of justice and freedom.

King III said he's trying to reach a new generation of young people willing to fight for justice. At a City Hall press conference, King III made mention of the Trayvon Martin case and the verdict returned by the jury in favor of George Zimmerman.

"A young man we all know was on his way home and because of an altercation was killed. Now what it says is that we have a lot of work to do in the criminal justice system and it also re-energizes the civil rights movement," King III said.

King III said what happened to Martin could have happened to any of the nation's youth.

"This is not a one ethnic group issue. This is an issue that should impact all Americans because no child should have to be concerned about whether he or she in some context would be able to get home safely," King III said.

Those in attendance found inspiration.

"I think it's nice to know that are people out there that care about the future of America and that Martin Luther King has not been realized," said Donovan Taylor, a teenager at the press conference.

"I think it's important to carry on his legacy because it affects the past and now," said Victoria Webb, a teenager at the press conference.

King and the Rev. Al Sharpton will take part in a rally Friday night at the New Shiloh Baptist Church in Baltimore.